Sponsors (4)
The bill gives eligible veterans a new TRICARE enrollment option and administrative safeguards to smooth implementation, but does so by removing concurrent access to VA care, excluding dependents from automatic coverage, and creating fiscal and out‑of‑pocket risks that could shift costs to taxpayers or some veterans.
Veterans with service‑connected disabilities can choose TRICARE Select (and for some, TRICARE For Life), giving them an additional insurance option beyond VA care.
Covered veterans who enroll will have cost‑sharing calculated uniformly under 10 U.S.C. §1075(d)(1), creating more predictable out‑of‑pocket rules for enrollees.
Requires a VA–DOD memorandum obligating VA to reimburse DOD for enrollment costs, which could reduce uncompensated administrative burden on DOD and limit unexpected costs to taxpayers.
Veterans who enroll in TRICARE under this option cannot stay enrolled in the VA patient enrollment system or receive VA care under this chapter while in TRICARE, limiting access to VA services and risking disrupted continuity and care coordination for people with complex needs.
Dependents cannot enroll in TRICARE solely because the veteran elects this option, so families may not gain coverage through the veteran’s election.
Shifting eligible veterans from VA care to TRICARE could increase federal spending (DOD enrollment costs plus VA reimbursements), creating potential budgetary pressure on taxpayers and defense/VA budgets.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows certain VA‑enrolled veterans with service‑connected disabilities to elect TRICARE Select (and in some cases TRICARE for Life), bars concurrent VA care, sets cost‑sharing and implementation rules.
Introduced January 9, 2025 by W. Greg Steube · Last progress January 9, 2025
Allows certain veterans with service-connected disabilities who are enrolled in (or eligible for) the VA patient enrollment system to choose TRICARE Select and, in some circumstances, TRICARE for Life as their health coverage. While enrolled in TRICARE, those veterans cannot remain concurrently enrolled as VA patients or receive VA‑furnished care; cost‑sharing rules from TRICARE law apply and dependents may not enroll solely because the veteran does. Implementation actions include a one‑year delayed effective date, a VA–DOD reimbursement memorandum of understanding for enrollment costs, joint regulations, phased enrollment tied to TRICARE open enrollment, and reporting requirements.